One of the things I wanted to explore in Shaderunners was the conflict that people often have to face between idealism and reality; more simply, what you want versus what it might cost to get it. Josephine is willing to pay that cost; Maviry isn't. As a writer, I'm not really interested in painting either choice as a moral decision. It's really scary to be asked to give up your whole life and world on the off-chance that you might find happiness in something totally different and unknown. Mav and Josie, in different ways, are both unable to give up what they want for the other.

And, Easton does, apparently, know how to shave--but not how to knot a proper tie?